So as soon as I got home from the airport this afternoon I went straight to the UPS store to pick up my dress. (my seamstress is from China as well; she said she had just done alterations on another bride's dress that had gotten her dress from China)

She helpefd me try it on and I took my wedding day shoes with me so I could be sure to see the correct height. I was so excited that I forgot to take a picture of how they bundled it up. They sent a garment bag which folds in half (and you can zip it) and doubles as a regular oversized tote bag (good for transporting stuff on the day of the wedding) but I don't think I will be using it to transport my dress in because the front of it is sheer and you would be able to see my dress, which I don't want FI to see until the wedding day. They also had the crinoline skirt in the bag as well.

The seamstress was taking the pictures with my camera and she kept taking the pictures over and over because she kept saying (I keep ending up the pictures!!!) I kept telling her it was inevitable since she had all the mirrors around on the dress stand.

Ok I just noticed that the "hoop"/crinoline skirt is crooked and maybe not pulled all the way down. I think I was just so excited to get it after all the drama I had been through with Shades of Pale. I just wanted to get the dress in my hands first and then go from there. I am probably going back on Saturday to have her help me try it on again because I need to see if my little silicone breast thingies will work.

It's not as tight as I want it to be in the buttock area but only because I lost about 1/2 inch (not intentionally), but the seamstress said it was perfect. They were supposed to make the halter strap detachable but they didn't. I won't sweat it though. I was worried at first because it was a little loose and then the seamstress showed me how to tighten the corsett to make the strap just right.

Overall I am really pleased with it. I think I am going to have it steamed to be sure the folds lay down nicely, but only after I visit the seamstress one more this weekend though.

Do you have a ship date for your dress yet? I know you can't wait! I was so excited to have it in my hands and try it on today that I really didn't take the time to see if there was really anything wrong with it. I only noticed things when I looked back at the pictures! (like how I didn't have the crinoline pulled down straight! LOL0

I am really happy with the dress, but I think in my quest to get rid of the last little fat on my tummy, a little of my backside went with it and the dress doesn't fit really snuggly around my hips like I really want it to. I am debating whether to get this adjusted when I go back to the seamstress on Saturday to try it on or if I should just let it be.

Ok, so Gianinar Bridal said they needed an additional 2 days before pictures. That was up today. I'm writing them again in the morning. I need pictures and the dress. I told them my wedding was August 10th (fake date) and still no pictures or dress. Obviously not getting it in time for my fake date. Hoping it's here within the next 2 weeks. My real date isn't until September 30th.

For brides who may have bn disappointed by Shades of Pale, I stumbled upon a facebook page dedicated to it and found this interesting post by Jasmines. They are offering 3wks free rush service or sumtn. See post below.

Hi everyone, this is Jasmine's Bridal Shop (also a dress maker from China). We feel deep sympathy for all of those who have been wronged by this company and we would like to extend our help to those in need. If your dress never came or you couldn't get a refund for your order, and that your wedding date is close, we can offer up to 3 weeks of rush service free of charge. If you want to visit our Facebook page, it is atwww.JasmineOnFacebook.com, and photos of our work are listed atwww.JasminesBlogs.com. For the deal we have just mentioned, please contact James at JasminesTailorShop@gmail.com to receive this special care package. Thank you and good luck to you all!"

Ok, so Gianinar Bridal said they needed an additional 2 days before pictures. That was up today. I'm writing them again in the morning. I need pictures and the dress. I told them my wedding was August 10th (fake date) and still no pictures or dress. Obviously not getting it in time for my fake date. Hoping it's here within the next 2 weeks. My real date isn't until September 30th.

Heather

That's really horrible, Imagine if that was your real date? I'm sure not everyone thinks to make up a fake date. After I emailed them to make amendments to the dress they emailed me back again this morning with the finished dress and said they would ship it tomorrow. My fake date is a week on Saturday so that's cutting it very close. What is the dress like that they are making?